HSK · Level 11
135 words
Chinese word
就算
Pronunciation
Pinyinjiù suàn
Meaning
- conjunctioneven if
Example
就算下雨，我们也去。jiù suàn xià yǔ wǒ men yě qù
Even if it rains, we are still going.
More examples
就算很难，我也要试一试。jiù suàn hěn nán wǒ yě yào shì yí shì
Even if it is very difficult, I will still give it a try.
Core concept
A possible obstacle surrounds a conclusion that continues to stand.
Common phrases
就算...也要...jiù suàn yě yào
even if ___ still need to ___
就算...都...jiù suàn dōu
even if ___ ___ just the same
就算...也没用jiù suàn yě méi yòng
even if ___ it is no use
Similar words
即使jí shǐ: Introduces a possible fact and emphasizes that it will not alter what happens next.
即便jí biàn: Allows for a possible fact while emphasizing that the speaker's decision will not change.
哪怕nǎ pà: Introduces an extreme possibility to stress that the expected result still stands.
Definition in Chinese
作为连词，用来引出假设或让步的情况，强调即便在该假设下主句依然成立，常见结构为“就算...，也/还...”，多用于口语。zuò wéi lián cí yòng lái yǐn chū jiǎ shè huò ràng bù de qíng kuàng qiáng diào jí biàn zài gāi jiǎ shè xià zhǔ jù yī rán chéng lì cháng jiàn jié gòu wèi jiù suàn yě hái duō yòng yú kóu yǔ
Word origin
就算 (jiùsuàn, "even if") combines 就 (jiù, "then") + 算 (suàn, "count as"), as if a speaker counts a condition as given and still keeps the main outcome.
Usage tips
- The opening condition is often only a setup in conversation; the later main clause carries the speaker's real commitment.